The earth is on fire beneath
Centralia,Pennsylvania.An
uncontrollableinferno has
been burningfor 23 years in a
maze of old mine tunnels. The
fire may have started at a
trash dump on the edge of
town (right), where vents now
releasesteam from the
smolderingsubterranean
blaze. On a hillside a mile
and a half away flames flicker
eerily from an exposed coal
seam (left).
Deadly carbon monoxide
seeping into basements
caused Centraliafamilies to
have gas monitors installed in
theirhomes. After all
attempts to extinguish the fire
failed, the federalgovernment
in 1983 approved a 42
million-dollarplan to buy out
residents wanting to leave.
Many accepted the offer, but
a few, such as Mary Lou
Gaughan(right), refused to
abandonthe dying town.
of the region. Here in the
"Ourhouses may not be
heart of coal country, Thomas
mansions," she said, "but to
Edison installed electric lights
us they are palaces."
in 1884, making this town
Many families relocatedin
one of America'sfirst to be
nearby Mount Carmel, whose
electrically lighted.A century
oldestfirehouse (above)
latertownsfolk celebrated the
proclaims the mining heritage
event with a festival.
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